Meet the Founders & Program Providers

Ella Park, B.Sc. P.E.

Clinic Director – Three Step Fitness Pilates Physio Clinic (TSF)
Program Director & Founder – TSF Pilates Education

Ella Park is the founder of TSF Pilates Education and Clinic Director of Three Step Fitness Pilates Physio Clinic. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and is a former professional athlete and licensed Physical Education Teacher in South Korea.

Ella's journey into Pilates began through her own rehabilitation experience following multiple significant injuries and surgeries, including spinal surgery, ACL reconstruction, and Achilles tendon repair. Through her recovery, she discovered the transformative power of movement-based rehabilitation and Pilates.

Combining her background in athletics, education, anatomy, biomechanics, and rehabilitation, Ella developed a science-based approach to Pilates that bridges the gap between fitness and clinical application. Her passion is helping movement professionals understand not only how to teach Pilates exercises, but also why movement matters.

Cheng Cui, Physiotherapist

Clinic Director – OT Performance Rehab
Clinical Instructor & Founder – TSF Pilates Education

Cheng Cui is a physiotherapist, kinesiologist, and co-founder of OT Performance Rehab with over 15 years of experience in rehabilitation, sports medicine, and athletic performance in Canada and Australia.

Inspired by his own recovery from football injuries, Cheng specializes in return-to-sport rehabilitation, particularly following knee and shoulder injuries, including ACL, meniscus, rotator cuff, and shoulder reconstruction surgeries. He has worked with athletes from the NLL, AFL, NRL, junior hockey, and Canadian university sports.

As a co-founder and instructor of the Clinical Pilates Education Program, Cheng teaches movement assessment, rehabilitation programming, and clinical reasoning, helping movement professionals apply Pilates safely and effectively in rehabilitation and performance settings.

Jihye "Tracy" Lee

Co-Founder & Lead Pilates Educator

Jihye (Tracy) Lee is a Certified Pilates Instructor with over 10 years of teaching experience. Throughout her career, she has worked with a wide range of clients, helping individuals improve movement quality, strength, posture, and overall well-being.

Tracy's passion for Pilates grew from her personal experience overcoming chronic shoulder and back pain. Through consistent movement practice and a deeper understanding of body mechanics, she experienced firsthand how Pilates can restore function, reduce pain, and build confidence.

Her teaching style emphasizes precision, body awareness, and sustainable movement patterns, helping students develop both practical teaching skills and a deeper appreciation for the Pilates method.

Our Philosophy

TSF Pilates Education was founded on a shared belief:

Movement is medicine, and education should be both practical and evidence-based.

Founders discovered the power of Pilates through their own recovery journeys—Ella after multiple surgeries and Tracy after overcoming chronic shoulder and back pain. Together, they created a science-based, movement-driven approach to Pilates education that empowers instructors, healthcare professionals, and clients to move with purpose, confidence, and precision.

Our programs integrate:

Functional Anatomy
Biomechanics
Clinical Reasoning
Rehabilitation Principles
Pilates Movement Education

to create a comprehensive learning experience that supports both personal and professional growth.

Exercise is a natural remedy.
— Three Step Fitness Pilates Physio Clinic

Three Step Education

Pilates Teacher Certification Course

Step 1: Basic Pilates

Step 2: Intensive Pilates

Step 3: Clinical Pilates

The Three Step Pilates Instructor Course is an integrated, comprehensive Pilates instructor training program designed to bridge the gap between movement science and real-world Pilates practice.
Rather than teaching Pilates exercises simply as a sequence of movements, our program focuses on understanding why and how movement works—and how scientific principles can be directly applied to effective Pilates instruction.
The course is built around two core components:
- The Science of Human Movement
- Practical Movement Application — 300+ Mat & Reformer Movements
Through this integrated approach, students develop both the theoretical knowledge and practical teaching skills required to understand, demonstrate, analyze, and teach Pilates movement with confidence.
Why Is the Three Step Pilates Course Different?
One of the key differences of the Three Step program is that Mat and Reformer training are combined into one comprehensive course.
Rather than separating Mat and Reformer education into individual programs, students learn both systems together while studying the scientific principles that influence movement.
This allows us to provide significantly more practical content than many standard entry-level Pilates instructor programs, with more than 300 movements and variations incorporated throughout the course.
Our goal is not simply to teach students what exercise to perform, but to help them understand:
What is happening in the body? Why are we choosing this movement? What biomechanical outcome are we trying to achieve?
Students are taught to connect Pilates movement directly with concepts from anatomy, biomechanics, kinesiology, and physiology.
By the end of the program, students should have developed a strong foundation in Pilates movement principles, exercise demonstration, movement analysis, and practical teaching.
What Is Included?
The Basic Pilates Instructor Course includes:
- Mat + Reformer fundamentals
- 300+ Pilates movements and variations
- Basic Anatomy
- Basic Biomechanics
- Basic Kinesiology
- Basic Physiology
- Movement analysis and practical application
- Exercise demonstration and teaching methodology
- Minimum 10 hours of observation
- Minimum 20 hours of personal practice
- Minimum 20 hours of teaching practice
Course Dates — Fall 2026
Module 1
- September 26, 2026
- September 27, 2026
- October 3, 2026
Module 2
- October 24, 2026
- October 25, 2026
- November 1, 2026
The program includes six in-person training days, divided into two modules.
Between modules, students are expected to continue studying, practicing, observing, and applying the material covered during the in-person training.
This structure gives students time to absorb the scientific concepts, practice movement techniques, and develop their practical skills before progressing to the next stage of training.
Certification Requirements
Completion of the in-person course alone does not automatically qualify a student for certification.
Following completion of the course, students must complete the required Student Instructor Training and successfully pass the practical assessment.
Certification requirements include:
- Successful completion of Module 1 and Module 2
- Completion of all required observation, practice, and teaching hours
- 100 hours of Student Instructor Training
- Practical teaching and movement demonstration assessment
- Completion of the assessment requirements within three months of the course completion date
Students who do not complete the required training hours or other course requirements will not receive a completion certificate and will not be eligible to take the certification examination.
Learning Between Modules
Consistent study and practice are essential to succeeding in this program.
Students are strongly encouraged to actively review course materials, practice Mat and Reformer movements, study anatomy and biomechanics, and develop their teaching skills between training weekends.
The more time you invest in studying and practicing between modules, the more confidently you will be able to understand and apply the material during the next stage of the course.
Our objective is to develop instructors who do more than memorize exercises. We want students to understand movement, purpose, application, and outcome.
Who Is This Course For?
This course may be ideal for individuals who want to:
- Begin their journey toward becoming a Pilates instructor
- Develop strong practical Mat and Reformer teaching skills
- Apply Pilates-based movement within a healthcare or movement-professional setting
- Deepen their understanding of scientifically grounded movement
- Better understand the relationship between anatomy, biomechanics, kinesiology, and Pilates
- Learn how to connect movement selection with specific biomechanical outcomes
Healthcare and movement professionals are especially encouraged to participate.
Healthcare Professional Discount — 15%
We offer a 15% professional discount to eligible healthcare and movement professionals, including:
- Kinesiologists
- Physiotherapists
- Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs)
- Chiropractors
- Naturopathic Doctors
- Osteopathic Practitioners
- Athletic Therapists
- Other eligible healthcare practitioners
Please contact us before registration to confirm your eligibility for the professional discount.
How to Register
Step 1 — Register for the Course
Visit the Three Step Pilates Student Instructor Training registration page and enter your registration information.
Step 2 — Confirm Discount Eligibility
If you may qualify for a professional discount, please contact us before completing your enrollment.
You may also contact Three Step Fitness directly for enrollment assistance.
Step 3 — Prepare for Your Course
Once your registration is confirmed, we will provide information regarding the required textbooks and help you prepare for your first training module.
Have Questions Before Enrolling?
If you would like to speak with one of our course leaders before registering, please contact Three Step Fitness.
We would be happy to discuss the program structure, course expectations, professional eligibility, and whether the Three Step Pilates Instructor Course is the right fit for your goals.
Course Breakdown Module 1 & 2
(Module 1: Sept 26, Sept 27, Oct 3)
Sept 26
- Foundation: Anatomy & Movement Principles
- Basic Pilates movement Principe and human movement science
- Introduction to basic anatomy and physiology
- Fundamental movement principles: with Pilates movements
- Understanding body alignment and control: basic biomechanics
Sept 27
- Test: Anatomy Integration & Pilates Fundamentals
- Continued basic anatomy
- Introduction to foundational Pilates exercises (Mat & Reformer)
- Linking anatomy to movement
Oct 3
- Test: Practical & Theory
- Practical Pilates movement assessment
- Basic anatomy test
- Feedback and correction for improvement
(Modul 2: Oct 24, Oct 25, Nov 1)
Oct 24
- Pilates Technique Development
- Progression of foundational exercises
- Cueing and teaching basics
- Movement quality and control
Oct 25
- Applied Pilates Training
- Advanced application of foundational Pilates movements
- Individualized modifications
- Clinical and practical use of exercises
Nov 1
- Final Evaluation
- Demonstration of Pilates movements
- Clear explanation of purpose and benefits
- Application to real-life or clinical scenarios
Upon registration, participants will receive purchase links for:
- Module 1 Fee: $1,880 + gst, $170+gst (text book)
- Module 2 Fee: $1,880 + gst, $170+gst (text book)
- 2 Text books for each module
  - Module 1 Basic Art and Science of Human Movement booklet and Basic Pilates booklet ($170+gst)
  - Module 2 Basic Art and Science of Human Movement and Basic Pilates booklet ($170+gst)
To be determine
Course Structure: STEP 3 CLINICAL PILATES
To be eligible for the Clinical Pilates course, applicants must meet one of the following conditions:
- Healthcare professionals with comprehensive knowledge of anatomy (kinesiology) and biomechanics, such as physiotherapists, athletic therapists, osteopathic therapist, naturopathic Dr, kinesiologists, acupuncturists, massage therapists, chiropractors, or internationally licensed health care professionals.
  The course will begin with a full-day session focused on functional assessment and basic anatomy, with an emphasis on Pilates principles.
  Following Day 1, the course will move into progressive, region-specific coaching:
- Day 2: Common Foot & Knee Pathologies
- Day 2-2: Practical Training and Addressing the Movement
- Day 3: Common Hip, Lumbar Spine & Pelvic Complex Pathologies
- Day 3-2: Practical Training and Addressing the Movement
- Day 4: Common Scapular & Thoracic Region Pathologies
- Day 4-2: Practical Training and Addressing the Movement
- Day 5: Common Neck & Shoulder Pathologies
- Day 5-2: Practical Training and Addressing the Movement
- Day 6: Common Elbow & Wrist Pathologies
- Day 6-2: Practical Training and Addressing the Movement
Each module will include both knowledge-based instruction and practical application:
- Half day focused on theory, assessment, and clinical reasoning
- Half day dedicated to demonstration, coaching, and teaching practice
Clinical Framework (Progressive Rehabilitation Model)
The course content will be delivered using a step-by-step progressive approach depending on the phase of injury or client presentation:
- Step 1: Acute, unstable, early-stage rehabilitation or prevention
- Step 2: Chronic pain or long-term injury management
- Step 3: Performance enhancement and fitness optimization
All modules will be taught with this layered clinical reasoning approach to ensure appropriate progression, adaptation, and safe movement integration.
Course Format & Pricing
Each module can be taken as a standalone course or as part of the full Clinical Pilates program, allowing flexibility based on individual learning needs.
- Course Fee (per module): $780 + gst
- Textbook: $280 (printed copy only; no digital version included)
- Full course (Day 1 to Day 6): $4,100. The special topic can only be included as part of an individual module.
Participants may choose to enroll in individual modules or complete the full series for a comprehensive learning experience.
Tentative Clinical Pilates course commence date is in October 2026.
Note: The workshop founder and provider may be different from the founder and provider of the Clinical Pilates course. Please review the Course Founders and Providers section for your reference.
Musculoskeletal + Functional based Pilates
1. Pilates-Based Postural Assessment and Deviation Correction: (e.g., scoliosis, lateral pelvic tilt, and rotational imbalances)
2. Pilates for Shoulder movement optimization
3. Pilates for spine and core dysfunction
4. Pilates for healthy hip and knee
Sport Performance
1. Golf Specific Pilates
2. Gait Biomechanics and Runner Pilates
3. Pilates Programming for Sports (ex., hockey, swimming, tennis, baseball, and basketball)
Women’s Health
1. Pre- and Postnatal Pilates
2. Women's Health and Pelvic Floor Function
Oder adults
1. Active aging and fall prevention Pilates
1. Take Basic Pilates class at Three Step Fitness Pilates Physio Clinic
- Minimum 20 hours (100% attendance required)
2. Movement Demonstration Test
- Perform 20 selected movement on test day
- Must include:
  Correct setup (Spring, prop), sequence, purpose of the movement, and modification
- Evaluation scale:
  - Emerging – below 40%
  - Developing – below 60%
  - Competent – over 80% (Pass rate)
- Must be completed within 3 months of course completion
3. Teaching & Practice
- 100 hours of teaching (Teach a partner, friend, or client aware of your student status)
- Three Step Fitness Pilates Physio Clinic can provide opportunity for teaching hours with $380 fee + gst.
4. Observation Hours
- 10 hours observing certified Pilates instructors (private or group sessions)
5. Written Exam
- 40 questions integrating anatomy, movement, and sequence design
- Must score 80%+ to pass
- Must be completed within 3 months of course completion
Total minimum Teaching practice hours : 100 hours
Final Certification Exam Application Fee: $380
Once you are prepared to take a final certification exam:
Step 1: Request a test by email at info@threestepfitness.com

Step 2: Subject title: request for Instructor Course Certification test and submit ‍the followings:
1. Application for the Certification Test (you will receive it at the end of the course)
1. Record Tracker: Teaching 100 hours
2. Case Study Sheets
3. Anatomy Level 1 test result (80%+), or valid license as a recognized healthcare professional
Once your application is verified, Three Step Fitness will send you a list of available test-out location and schedule.
📧 Email: info@threestepfitness.com
📞 Phone: +1 (778) 355-1238
🌐 Website:www.threestepfitness.com
*Basic Pilates applicants must be passionate about caring for people and have an openness to learn.
*Intensive Pilates applicants must pass Three Step Anatomy Step 1 with Competent rate (80%+)
*Clinical Pilates Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
- Completion of Three Step Anatomy Step 1 with: Competent rate (80%+)
  or
- Master of Physical Therapy
- Bachelor of Kinesiology
- Other licensed healthcare professionals with comprehensive anatomical knowledge:
  - Registered Acupuncturists
  - Massage Therapists
  - Doctors of Chiropractic
  - Pilates Instructors with 4+ years of experience
Pilates was originally developed by Joseph Pilates as a movement system to improve his own physical condition and overcome chronic illness. Over time, it evolved in New York City as a rehabilitation method used by dancers to recover from injury, build strength, improve flexibility, and restore overall function.
Although Joseph Pilates did not have formal scientific training, his method was based on careful observation and real-world outcomes. Today, with the advancement of physiotherapy and exercise science, Pilates has become a highly effective complementary system when applied correctly.
At its core, Pilates is a movement system designed to improve control, alignment, and efficiency of the human body. It emphasizes quality of movement over quantity, focusing on precision, coordination, and awareness.
The founders of the Three Step Pilates Certification Course, Ella Park and Tracy Lee, recognized through their own rehabilitation experiences that Pilates becomes truly effective when applied with proper understanding and intention.
Modern Pilates uses adjustable equipment and biomechanical principles to adapt movement for any individual—from injured clients to elite athletes. By modifying variables such as joint angle, load, torque, and leverage, instructors can improve movement patterns and build strength safely and effectively.
Professionals with a background in kinesiology, physical therapy, or related fields can utilize Pilates as a powerful tool to assess and correct movement dysfunctions.
The Three Step Pilates method was developed by founders Ella Park and Tracy Lee through both academic training and real-world rehabilitation experience.
Ella, has undergone three major orthopedic and musculoskeletal rehabilitation processes, including ACL reconstruction surgery, Achilles tendon reconstruction surgery, and a herniated disc injury. Following participation in structured, national-level rehabilitation programs, she observed that Pilates, when applied with appropriate clinical reasoning and biomechanical understanding, served as a highly effective adjunct to physiotherapy in optimizing functional recovery.
“I truly believe that with the right guidance, exercise is a natural remedy.”
Tracy Lee experienced severe postural dysfunction in her early 20s due to prolonged sedentary work and lack of foundational strength. While Pilates improved her condition, she observed that results varied depending on the instructor’s level of understanding. This led her to pursue extensive training and continued study in rehabilitation and movement science. With over a decade of experience, her approach emphasizes clinical application—understanding how, when, and for whom each movement should be applied.
The Three Step Pilates system was developed as a structured, progressive method that guides movement from foundational control to advanced execution, ensuring safe, effective, and precise training in both private and group settings.
The Three Step Fitness Pilates Instructor Course is designed to be practical and science-based, while remaining rooted in classical Pilates.